Wrexham uni bosses say contracts put it in the international fast lane of engineering education

GLYNDWR University has announced a series of major deals that could put it in the international fast lane of engineering education.

Bosses at the university revealed it is joining forces with a global defence leader to train the next generation of world-class engineers.

The Welsh university and MBDA – Europe’s largest missile company – have agreed to develop a series of technology and management programmes with the cooperation of the Malaysian government agency Majlis Amanh Rakyat, known as MARA.

The aim is to recruit highly skilled engineers and effective defence technology managers to meet the country’s indigenous industrial and technological needs into the future.

Glyndwr also plans to open an engineering campus in Malaysia, to support the Malaysian Government’s strategy and its “employability skills programme” with industrial partners over the next two years.

Glyndwr University Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Scott, said the union with MBDA and MARA will launch a new era for engineering at the Wrexham institution.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be working alongside MBDA and MARA, two giants of defence, education and engineering,” said Prof Scott.

“There are major plans in the pipeline for engineering at Glyndwr, and with us now placed in the top three universities in Wales, having recorded the country’s highest levels of student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide, we are in a great position to capitalise on these opportunities.”

The Wrexham University also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Asia Aerospace City (AAC), an economic and educational hub created by the Malaysian government agency Majlis Amanh Rakyat, to connect industry leaders through high quality engineering services, iconic infrastructure and national support.

Known as MARA, the agency will join Glyndwr University in collaborating on the Professional Development Centre (PDC) Programme - one of six business offerings within AAC.

Another major signing that took place at the air show was a MoU between AAC, Glyndwr and BAE Systems on industrial collaboration for training programme-development and industrial research.

“We already work closely with MARA and train Malaysian engineering students on our campus in Wrexham, but this partnership takes that agreement to a whole new level,” said Prof Scott.

“It is a relationship we value greatly, and one that will play a big part in the future of the University.”

He added: “The relationships we have secured at Farnborough Air Show will play a big part in the University’s role as a provider of top-class education with world class partners.”

The deals are subject to Glyndwr University maintaining its Highly Trusted Sponsor status with the UK Visas and Immigration service (UKVI).